9 June 2011
There’s an acronym that is common to
the World Race: TIA or This is Africa, to help explain things that we might not
be used to or might not make as much sense to us. Like if you are told to be
ready by 8am and you are, but you don’t end up leaving until sometime after
noon – it’s reasonable to chalk it up to TIA and just be ready when it’s
eventually time to go. I finally feel like I am in Africa being that we only
have internet when we go to the one internet cafe in town on our off-day. That
happens to be today which is why I am able to post a blog.
the World Race: TIA or This is Africa, to help explain things that we might not
be used to or might not make as much sense to us. Like if you are told to be
ready by 8am and you are, but you don’t end up leaving until sometime after
noon – it’s reasonable to chalk it up to TIA and just be ready when it’s
eventually time to go. I finally feel like I am in Africa being that we only
have internet when we go to the one internet cafe in town on our off-day. That
happens to be today which is why I am able to post a blog.
We ended up leaving our last
ministry site in Kenya on June 1 and traveled to Nairobi, Kenya – the capital.
We stayed in the same hostel we were at in the beginning of the month until
June 6. It was an awesome debrief and time to spend with our whole squad and
our Texas squad leaders that we haven’t seen since the Philippines.
ministry site in Kenya on June 1 and traveled to Nairobi, Kenya – the capital.
We stayed in the same hostel we were at in the beginning of the month until
June 6. It was an awesome debrief and time to spend with our whole squad and
our Texas squad leaders that we haven’t seen since the Philippines.
During training camp, way back in
July 2010, I felt like I had been put back in high school and was dealing with
a lot of old insecurities, comparing myself to other girls, and being
incredible judgmental. I mentioned this to my squad one night when we slept
under the stars. I was vulnerable and shared that I was totally judgmental of
everyone and that I didn’t want that, but rather and wanted to love everyone as
my brothers and sisters in Christ.
July 2010, I felt like I had been put back in high school and was dealing with
a lot of old insecurities, comparing myself to other girls, and being
incredible judgmental. I mentioned this to my squad one night when we slept
under the stars. I was vulnerable and shared that I was totally judgmental of
everyone and that I didn’t want that, but rather and wanted to love everyone as
my brothers and sisters in Christ.
This debrief was the first time that
I felt that was real and was manifesting in me. It was the first debrief that I
went to where I wasn’t frantically searching out my close friends on the squad
so that I could feel understood. I was genuinely happy for all of my
squad-mates and I was able to love them with a love that didn’t seem like it
came from me. When we were worshiping and praising God one night I was
overwhelmed with emotions and love for my squad and realized that this awesome
community will come to an end in less than three months. I am hopeful about the
future but the reality that this blessed journey is coming to an end is
starting to hit me.
I felt that was real and was manifesting in me. It was the first debrief that I
went to where I wasn’t frantically searching out my close friends on the squad
so that I could feel understood. I was genuinely happy for all of my
squad-mates and I was able to love them with a love that didn’t seem like it
came from me. When we were worshiping and praising God one night I was
overwhelmed with emotions and love for my squad and realized that this awesome
community will come to an end in less than three months. I am hopeful about the
future but the reality that this blessed journey is coming to an end is
starting to hit me.
So after five or six days of loving
my squad, it was off to Uganda. We are staying in Mukono, which is near the
capital of Kampala. We are staying at a very nice guest house. Across the world
I have been shocked at what $6 a night can get you! We are working with a
strong man of God, Pastor Joseph, and helping out in his Christian school of
about 200 children. We still get called “mzungu” when we walk down
the street but we don’t seem to scare children as much with our white skin.
Plus, English is much more common here so it is a lot easier to communicate. I
was able to teach sixth grade math and had a fun time doing it yesterday. Our
days are jam packed with teaching and leading small groups, but I’m excited
about it.
my squad, it was off to Uganda. We are staying in Mukono, which is near the
capital of Kampala. We are staying at a very nice guest house. Across the world
I have been shocked at what $6 a night can get you! We are working with a
strong man of God, Pastor Joseph, and helping out in his Christian school of
about 200 children. We still get called “mzungu” when we walk down
the street but we don’t seem to scare children as much with our white skin.
Plus, English is much more common here so it is a lot easier to communicate. I
was able to teach sixth grade math and had a fun time doing it yesterday. Our
days are jam packed with teaching and leading small groups, but I’m excited
about it.
I will do my best to keep you
updated, but you have to remember: TIA.
